Private Battlefields Tour in Argonne from Paris in Van (2/7 travelers)
Description
Travel with your own group (6 travelers maximum) and embark with your Driver and guide "Régis" aboard a comfortable and air-conditioned Minivan. Your Régis guide will tell you about the significant events of the First World War and the battles that took place here in the Argonne forest between 1914 and 1918. At the "Main de Massiges" you will walk in the middle of the trenches surrounded by hundreds of shell holes which evoke a lunar and apocalyptic scenery Discover the huge mine funnels at the top of the Vauquois hill and the remains of the trenches. Climb the 200 steps of the marble column of the American monument of Montfaucon then at the top admire the view of the valley which was the scene of the American offensive in September 1918. Visit the village of Varennes en Argonne where the King of France Louis XVI was arrested Pay homage to the fallen soldiers by walking through the largest American military cemetery (14,246 graves) in France at Romagne.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Germans retreated in early September 1914, entrenched on this natural height, each finger of which forms a bastion of this natural fortress. It was on this obstacle that the soldiers of the 4th French Army came up against on September 13, 1914, who participated in the counter-offensive succeeding the first battle of the Marne. A hotbed of fighting, this strategic position was the scene of fierce fighting that took place here in the Massiges sector between 1914 and 1918. The number of French soldiers killed, wounded or missing is estimated at 25,000, and certainly as many German soldiers.
The monument faces the front line of the 1st American army on the morning of September 26, 1918, when the attack began, the victory of which commemorates it, the Meuse-Argonne offensive. This lasted until November 11, 1918 and forced the enemy to retreat from its front. It consists of a Doric column in solid granite, surmounted by a statue symbolizing Liberty, which dominates the ruins of the old village by more than 60 meters. On the walls of the foyer is an engraved map of operations, with a story and a special tribute to the American troops who served here. The observation platform of the memorial can be reached at certain times by a staircase of 234 steps, from where visitors enjoy a view of almost all of the land conquered during this offensive.
If there is one essential site in the Land of Argonne, it is this cemetery which allows us to understand what the Americans mean by "Duty to remember". Located in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, the 52-hectare Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is the largest American necropolis in Europe. Inaugurated in 1937, this necropolis has 14,246 graves of American soldiers who perished during the Meuse Argonne Offensive from September 26 to November 11, 1918. The Romanesque memorial and its chapel overlook the cemetery. A map explaining the Meuse-Argonne offensive is engraved on a wall of the loggia. On another wall are engraved the names of 954 American soldiers who disappeared during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Inside the chapel, the badges of the American divisions and higher army units are represented on the stained glass windows. On the front wall of the chapel are engraved the names of the villages and places where the American army fought.
Explore thousands of objects from the Great War at Jean Paul's informal museum, which will show you the soldier's daily life. Behind each object on display hides a personal and moving story. Helmets, weapons, combs, coins, cutlery, pocket watches go back even today ... Jean-Paul de Vries has been looking for and finding these objects since 1976. In his museum, he exhibits finds that bear witness to this life in the trenches. Each object was found within a radius of 4 kilometers around Romagne sous Montfaucon. By showing the lives of soldiers, Jean-Paul de Vries hopes to make people understand the atrocity of war.
The village is known to have been the site of the arrest of Louis XVI and the royal family who tried to join troops remained loyal to the monarchy based in Montmédy, Varennes was occupied by German troops at the start of the First World War. The village was on or near the front line during most of the conflict. Varennes-en-Argonne was the first city to be liberated by American troops during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive launched on September 26, 1918. The Pennsylvania Monument in Varennes-en-Argonne: Located on the heights of Varennes-en-Argonne, this impressive monument was erected and funded in 1928 by the State of Pennsylvania (United States), in memory of the soldiers who died during the battles of 1918 to liberate this area. Its terrace offers a magnificent panorama overlooking the Aire valley.
Built at the top of a hill that overlooked the surrounding plain at an altitude of 290 m, which made it an observatory and a landmark for the regulation of artillery fire during the First World War. In the autumn of 1914, the Germans transformed the village into a veritable fortress. The French and the Germans buried themselves in trenches at the top of the hill which was transformed by more than 500 explosions, the village of Vauquois was totally destroyed. From February to March 1915, the ruins of the village were hotly contested. Kilometers of galleries (about 23) were dug, spanning several levels, up to 100 meters deep, in order to penetrate under the enemy camp, causing it as much loss as possible by the explosion of mines. In May 1916 a huge funnel was created by the explosion of a 60-ton mine that killed 108 French soldiers. In September 1918 the Americans took possession of the position definitively.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We take care of customers directly from their place of residence (hotels, holiday residences, private apartments) in Paris and the Paris region (75,77,78,91,92,94).
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(7)
Excellent driver guide, with extensive knowledge, safe driving and a comfortable vehicle
I took the Meuse Argonne VIP trip with Régis. An ancestor fought and died during the offensive and is buried in the Meuse Argonne American Cemetery. Régis is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and tailored the well-planned, full-day itinerary to meet my interests. He continued to provide valuable follow-up information after the trip. There’s no way I could have done this on my own. I highly recommend Adrien Roads for your French battlefield visit.
We thank Regis our tour guide for the most memorable tour of the Meuse Argonne Region on September 14th. His personal tour provided such detailed information about the battle, the various monuments, and other interesting events that occurred in that area. My husband was elated to visit the town of Dombasle where his grandfather arrived when he served during the war. Walking the cemetery and visiting the church was sobering. Seeing the demolished church and German bunkers on top of the hill really put things into perspective. And then the finale was walking in the forest and seeing the trenches and craters where the shelling occurred. We spent 3 weeks in Europe touring many cities but we both concluded that your tour was one of the highlights of our trip. Thank you again!
This tour was a hybrid of Verdun, the Argonne and all things AEF. Regis was fabulous and extremely flexible, we corresponded for a couple of months to ensure that I would be walking in the footsteps of my grandfather. The tour took us all over the American and Franco/American Battlefields. I learned early on that if it was recommended by Regis - it was worth seeing and exploring. An accomplished English/French speaker, he was able to open doors that, for most, would remain locked. Regis also ensured that the history of France's Ancien Regime, Napoleonic era, and the Franco-Prussian War were liberally sprinkled throughout the tour to ensure that timelines leading up to the Grand Gurre remained intact. One of the highlights was to be taken to the Haute Chevauchée (High Road) where his uncle had fought and was wounded. For the AEF student, this was a rare treat as it, and its monument, are buried deep in the Argonne Forest. After walking the battlefields, the WWI American Monuments and Cemeteries were not to be missed, they are some or the most beautiful in the ABMC inventory. On a lighter note, the tour became uproarious when we found out that Regis was a bread, pastry, and dessert fan. Every gas stop contained at least two of the three. Last, he is a generous host, tremendously well informed, and fun. When you leave his tour, you are leaving behind a friend.
Pictures are stunning, not! Because we didn’t get the opportunity to take any! We booked this tour in Nov 2022, that’s almost an entire year ago. My husband has a relative buried in the WWI American Cemetery and much of our visit to France centered around this one tour. None of his family can afford to visit the grave site, so we are making this pilgrimage to his grave after being there for 105 years. Our guide called at 10:38pm before a 6am pick up to tell us he couldn’t come, because his car broke down. He stated he could not make alternative arrangements, had to take the car to the shop the day of our tour and we could go in a week or so. When you are leaving in two days that is not helpful. We then called the Viator help line in the Philippines, at first hesitant to refund our $848, there was no offer to make right on a less than 8 hour cancellation by the driver/guide. The very least they could have offered would be a reduction on the price of the two tours we had booked with them in Belgium, right? Then after almost an hour on the phone, and repeatedly asking to talk to a supervisor, the call center person hung up on us! Think real hard about using Viator, and if the tour in France goes through Adrian Roads - cancel now!
We understand the disappointment of customers regarding the cancellation of the tour. Unfortunately a mechanical breakdown with the vehicle’s engine occurred on Thursday evening (just the day before the tour), Having no other vehicle available the vehicle was dropped urgently the next day at the garage but the mechanic had to order parts to carry out repairs which took several days (the garage being closed on weekends). We also tried to contact other tour agencies but none had a vehicle and guides available to operate the tour... We asked customers the possibility to postpone the visit but customers could not because they left 3 days later... We then asked VIATOR to fully refund the customers what was done.. For the safety of our customers we cannot afford to use a vehicle with a confirmed engine failure. We sincerely apologize to customers for having to cancel the tour at the last minute due to a mechanical engine failure of the vehicle and for not having had time to find an alternative solution.
This is a must do when visiting Paris if you have an interest in WW1! Our guide helped us find my husband’s great grandfather’s grave at the Meuse Argonne Cemetery. He also took us to so many great places that weren’t even listed. We had a very full day and learned so much from our guide, Regis! He was very knowledgeable and very pleasant to spend the day with. Make sure to book with Adrian-roads.com. He also does Normandy tours. Next time we are in France we will take his tour. We did the Viking tour and his is just more personalized!
I did not know that a Pigeon Signal Corp existed! Regis, the Docent, is very very knowledgeable and is passionate about telling our military history. Let is not forget about World War 1. We cannot understand World War 2 without it! .
